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Every person who moves from homelessness to housing is a cause for celebration. We rejoice with every one of our residents who are able to turn a key and enter their home, whether it is a mom or dad with children, single senior citizen, couple with children, three-generational family, or young adult. Finding home is the next step in a new phase of life.

While staying at Cornerstone the case-management staff work hard to make sure each person receives the assistance and services available. The work with the residents is tracked closely to be able to monitor what works and what areas can be improved on. One area tracked is how many people who come to Cornerstone homeless, successfully move into permanent housing.

We are glad to announce, that the number of people that have been housed this year so far is up by 29 percent! Already 24 families and their children, and 51 single men and women, all of whom stayed in one of CCO’s shelters moved from homelessness to permanent housing. That’s 9 more families and 16 more men and women than this time last year.

All of this can only be accomplished by your support, the hard work of the people finding home, and Cornerstone’s staff. Please consider donating today to help this wonderful work continue, and more people find home.

A donation of $4 per day can provide these wonderful, successful services for the homeless in Chicago. Donate Today!

Fight2Feed has really gone above and beyond again! Thank you to all the Fight2Feed volunteers who purchased, prepped, chopped, simmered, and baked a delicious dinner for #MothersDay at CCO. Our shelter families and single adults were blessed with delicious lemon chicken, BBQ chicken, sloppy joes, fresh carrots, green beans and much more. Dessert was also served and the children got special treats.

Through food rescue, reduced cost food purchases, and a group of organized and energized volunteers, Fight2Feed fights hunger in Chicago and beyond. We are proud to say that this vibrant organization has partnered with CCO and provides healthy, delicious meals to our shelter guests and our homeless friends on the street.

The volunteers at Fight2Feed are working to go nationwide with their mission which is, “fighting hunger with rescued food and mobilizing it to friends in need.”

“A lot of people who visit the Free Store come from dire circumstances. They often don’t have enough clothes, maybe just a few things in a bag. Or they come to CCO with nothing. We’ve had lots of fire victims, people fleeing bad situations, or folks living on the streets, who only have what they could carry. They are welcome to come and get what they need.”
– Harmony Canfield, Free Store Supervisor

Donated clothes and household items are displayed in the CCO Free Store. Once there, shelter guests and our neighbors are able to choose clothing essentials. The Free Store is truly a vital service to our shelter guests who arrive at CCO with no money or income. It is a blessing to families, single adults, and our neighbors in need.

Thank you for celebrating a few of CCO’s wonderful successes from 2016! In 2017, we hope you continue to be a part of the fabulous things happening in the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Please consider making a generous donation today!

Often something as simple as identification can stand in the way of job training, education, employment, and housing. CCO case managers work hard to get essential identification so that goals can be met. As a result, families and single adults are brought one step closer to stability and “finding home.”

In 2016, 331 Birth Certificates and State ID’s were obtained by those sheltered at CCO. Many people entering CCO have no identification or income. Staff work with shelter guests to secure ID so that they can access housing lists, job training, schooling, medical assistance, and more. Without identification, it is impossible to move forward to secure housing.

Thank you for celebrating this important 2016 success with us. In 2017, we hope you continue to be a part of the fabulous things happening in the lives of those who experience homelessness. Please consider donating today!

Each plate of food served in the CCO dining room help to bring nutrition, energy, and well-being to the children, adults, and senior citizens who dine with us. Nutrient-rich, balanced meals are central to CCO’s services.

To many of us, food is such a routine and expected provision that we forget it’s importance. But for those who are hungry, it is no small matter. Consistent, nutritious meals help to stabilize moods and focus attention on important tasks. It can help break people free of a survival mentality.

In 2016, over 200,000 meals are served in the CCO dining room. We are grateful to provide this core service.

Thank you for joining us in celebrating CCO’s fight against hunger. In 2017, we hope you continue to be a part of the fabulous things happening in the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Please consider making a donation today.

“Thank you Cornerstone for all your help! Not only for the help of shelter and housing but for life in general. Thank you and keep up the good work!”
– Lisa, maintained employment and found housing while sheltered at CCO.

Every single person who moves from homelessness to housing is a cause for celebration. We rejoice with every one of our residents who are able to turn a key and enter their home, whether it is a mom or dad with children, single senior citizen, couple with children, three-generational family, or young adult. “Finding home’ is the next step in a new phase of life.

Often the path to housing is full of barriers and delays but we are grateful to our case management team who help everyone sheltered at CCO navigate the complexities of finding a safe place to live.

In 2016, 269 people who stayed in one of CCO’s shelters or was helped through our outreach program moved from homelessness to housing. It was a record-breaking year!

Thank you for joining us in celebrating this exciting success from 2016. In 2017, we hope you continue to be a part of the fabulous things happening in the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Please consider donating today!

Take a moment to celebrate the successes of 2016 with us! We were overjoyed to see 269 shelter residents move from homelessness to housing, 48 people became employed while living at CCO, and over 200,000 plates of nutritious food were served to families and single adults experiencing homelessness. Over 300 people were helped with accessing birth certificates and essential identification, the CCO Free Store saw 2,920 visits for necessary clothing and household items, and over 22,500 bags of groceries went home with our food pantry patrons.

Thank you for joining us in celebrating a few of CCO’s wonderful successes from 2016. In 2017, we hope you continue to be a part of the fabulous things happening at in the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Please consider making a generous donation today!

“It speaks volumes about the character of the children and I appreciate it!” said one CCO shelter guest. An exceptional 9-year-old has visited CCO for the second time to bless those experiencing homelessness. Jakil Jackson, came to CCO to give encouragement and hygiene bags to the families and single adults sheltered with us. Jakil organized his friends and family to sort, fill, and distribute the bags.

Jakil may be one of the youngest philanthropists to bless CCO. Jakil told one news source, “In a perfect world, I would buy every homeless person a house. But since I can’t do that, I will try to help as much as I can.” He certainly does. Bags are filled with everyday items such as toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, shampoo, soap, lotion, water, shaving cream, and a crisp white t-shirt. He has encouraged us with his smile and generosity! Thank you, Jakil!

Over a decade ago, Stewart Brown, his mother, and his little sisters were homeless and needed shelter. They came to CCO, and from that moment on, Stewart has been a part of our lives, giving his all, for all of us, using his endless energy and excitement within CCO and well beyond.

Stewart is a giver. No matter the weather, the time, the location, the effort required, the distance, no matter who’s in need, no matter the sacrifice, Stewart is a giver.

“Never get tired of doing little things for others.Sometimes, those little things occupy the biggest part of their hearts.”
– Unknown

What a festive Holiday Season! It was a joy to watch the children and parents sheltered at CCO receiving and unwrapping Christmas gifts. CCO wants to say a huge “Thank you” to our generous and thoughtful donors, who made the 2016 Holiday Season extra special. Our shelter guests gushed with gratitude. Parents enjoyed watching their children tear open gifts and felt comforted in the knowledge that they would not have to go ‘without’ this year. Each present showed that this Christmas, they were remembered. They were valued. And they were not alone.Chicago Bear, Jimmy Staten, volunteered to play Santa this year. Thank you, Jimmy! You made every single family and child feel truly special. You brought an exciting boost to our holiday gift giving. Thank you for your time, patience, and sweet attitude!
And thank you to our very own Santa, Stewart Brown. Check back for a CCO special video featuring Stewart coming soon to CCOlife.
Thank you to all the Christmas elves who worked day and night gathering donated toys, sorting, wrapping, and organizing so that everyone felt special. Thank you to all the staff, volunteers, and CCO Board Members who helped make everything come together for the families and nearly 150 children sheltered at CCO.
Special thanks and photo credit goes to Juan Carlos Garzon. Thank you for the fabulous pictures we can all enjoy, including the families, who received copies as keepsakes of their Christmas at CCO.
Your thoughtfulness and encouragement last long after the wrapping paper is swept up and the toys are well used. It is truly a blessing to give and we are grateful to all who did!